November in Review

So much going on in November, here is a quick re-cap.

 

Halloween...Winston Trick or Treating

(with his Dad, Alan).
Never have seen a greyhound pumpkin before.

 

The first Margarita Fridays (Nov. 1) with Leona & Martha (our Canadian buds).

Got to watch those gals...too many margaritas.

 

The Pines to Palms Tennis Challenge at the La Quinta Resort (Nov. 8-10)...

a 3-day clinic when the Pines (Tahoe) gals come to the desert to learn & play

 with the best looking pros ever,

then challenge the Palms (desert) gals to a round robin tourney at the end.

 

Here's the trio...Jenny, Ian (the pro) and me.

Jenny came down from Incline just to play tennis...

we were great partners, I must say!

 

And, we got to relax after a tough morning of tennis, poolside.

Life is good!

 

Took in the Veterans Day parade & concert in Palm Springs (Nov. 11)...

here's the P.S. High School concert band playing

(they played at Obama's inauguration.)

 

Scout even enjoyed the concert!

 

Jenny & I met some of our Tahoe gals for lunch at the Indian Wells Club...

couldn't pass up this photo op in the Ladies Bathroom.

Yes, that's a waterfall going down the mirror...quite impressive, I must say.

Wonder if Allan could rig that up in our bathroom?

 

Jenny's gone, boo hoo.  Dianne arrives, yeah.

 

Another hike with the Seniors...Whitewater Canyon to Red Dome (Nov. 13).

 

Lots of trails to take out here...

 

...as we arrive at Red Dome.

 

A nice looking group, don't you think?

 

Dianne joined us.

 

Can't pass up a photo op...love the desert scenery out here.

 

And Allan even enjoyed it.  Yes, that's a smile.

 

On Nov. 17th we were off to the Salton Sea for the

full moon rising kayak tour.  A ranger-led tour of the Salton Sea.

Okay, where's the water?

 

That's better. 

 

A beautiful afternoon on the sea...waiting for the sun to set.

Kayaks and all the gear were provided for us by the Friends of the Salton Sea.

Only kayaked a couple miles...a piece of cake for us Tahoe gals.

 

Checked out all of the water fowl...quite spectacular views as the sun was setting.

 

Here comes the moon...just what we were waiting for. 

Another great adventure.

 

As the days passed quickly in November, we still were able to

catch the Friday evening concerts at the Spotlight 29 Casino...

tributes to Johnny Cash,

 tributes to ABBA (even stood in front of the stage for this one...groovin' to the music),

and tributes to Neil Diamond.

 

And, we kept active with tennis every T & TH & water aerobics on MWF, too. 

Janet even played league tennis for the Palm Desert Resort.

 

Dragged Allan to the McCallum Theatre to hear the Kingston Trio

(brought back memories of my college days at WVU)...he loved it!

 

And, wrapped up November by spending Thanksgiving at Danae & Pat's with more Canadian friends (who love our American Thanksgiving).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carrizo Canyon Hike - 10-30-13

Back in the desert now...arrived on Oct. 21st a little earlier than normal...Tahoe cold and desert warmth.  Which one would we choose?

Immediately got involved with our hiking group.

Paul, our leader, looks so cute in his tutu (Halloween, you know.)

 

Carrizo Canyon here we come...another Santa Rosa Mountain trail

exposing us to more canyon hiking.

 

 

Took some maneuvering through the dry wash...there's Allan coming up. 

 

Now he's resting...guess that scrambling was too much for him.

 

Now that is what I call scrambling!

 

Our mission was to hike to the waterfall (which was dry) and...

 

...climb above it by scrambling up the right side...which would take us to get to the top.

Okay, started getting slippery, algae on the rocks...so decided to take a different route.

 

Found another trail that took us up.

Now we're up on top looking down.

 

We've come half way...he's resting again?

 

Really on top now...can see for miles.

(Had to go out on a ledge to get this picture.)

 

And, Allan's afraid of heights...had to crawl on his belly to get down...

don't think he was thrilled about being out there.

 

But some of us decided to scramble up another dry water fall.

 

Success...made it!

 

While some stayed below and watched.

 

Watch out for that rock, Allan!  Oh...he caught it.

 

The end to another great hike..only a 5-miler and 500 ft elevation gain.

A good first hike.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2013 Sept & Oct - Still in Tahoe

Couldn't miss out on the Civil War Days in Virginia City

(or the War of Northern Aggression according to Allan)

over Labor Day Week-end.

 

 

Even Nevada's Governor, Brian Sandoval, was there.

Isn't he a cutie?

 

...and the battle took place.

 

...wonder who won?

 

Oh well, off to find a brew...

brings back memories "Olympia Beer in a can."

 

And, another week-end back to Virginia City for the

Annual Camel Races.  No, we did not get on a camel!

 

Stopped by the Gold Hill Hotel for a Sangria on the way home.

Here are Donna & Dave again...they must be here for the month!

 

Yep...love those Sangrias.

 

Up to Donner Lake for a reunion dinner with our neighbors from the desert.

Not only do we get to party with them in the winter, but also in the summer.

 

Ellen arrived this week...so have lots planned.

First of all, a day trip to Amador County to do some wine tasting.

First stop...Toscano winery.

We only bought 2 cases here.

With Ken, Ellen, Janet, Donna, Esther & Jim.

(Allan and Dave were elsewhere.)

 

Then it was off to Renwood for the wine tastings and lunch.

 

What a great venue this was...outside tasting and dining.

Now here is the whole gang.

 

Even took in the beautiful grounds of the wineries.

What a nice looking couple...

 

Another evening...Girls Night Out at Carol's...

Ellen prepared her Eggplant Parmesan (right from her cooking school in Italy).

Delicious!  (I was her sous chef...did all the cutting and chopping.)

 

A group shot...a very fun evening.

 

Showing Ellen all of Tahoe and Nevada...

back to Virginia City (with a stop at the Gold Hill Hotel).

More Sangrias, you know.

 

We're looking for Lil' Joe and Hoss.

 

And another evening out...dining at the Hyatt's Lone Eagle Grill...

such a pretty sunset.

 

Now we're in Tahoe City...just finished a bike ride from Squaw Valley to Tahoe City...

checking out Fanny Bridge...

Diane joined us on this bike ride.

 

Turned Ellen into a real mountain woman...

we biked about 13 miles this day.

She did it, too!

 

Ellen's gone...will see her in March in the desert.

But introduced her to all that was Tahoe.  She'll be back!

 

Now it is Dayton Valley Days...and

who is that cowboy?  That's Tahoe Fats.

 

And, Allan's Cowboy Action Shooting Group marched in the parade...

 

Another dinner out on the lake @ Susie's home.

Seems like Ken is everywhere with us. 

Here is Barbara, Jack, Ken and me. 

I guess Susie is cooking and Allan is getting the drinks.

 

It's getting time to leave Tahoe...the snow is coming.  Ugh!

 

Final get together with some of the girls at the Lone Eagle

before I head south.

Gosh...we all have on sweaters now!

(Me, Gladys, Jenny, Connie & Susan)

 

Next stop...the desert!

However, was a great summer and

I'll miss the girls...